Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries attaché in Paris awarded Knight of the Order of Merit in Agriculture
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, honourable Senzeni Zokwana, congratulates Ms Jenetha Mahlangu on being awarded the Order of Merit in Agriculture by the Minister of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry, Mr Stéphane Le Foll in France. The Order of Agricultural Merit is an order bestowed by the French Republic for outstanding contributions to agriculture.
The order is awarded to people who have rendered exceptional services to agriculture, whether in public duties or in the very practice of agriculture, as well as people who distinguished themselves in scientific research or in related publications. Jenetha Mahlangu is an agricultural attaché at the embassy of South Africa in Paris.
Ms Mahlangu was awarded the order for her contribution in reflecting South Africa’s agricultural, forestry and fisheries interests and priorities in bilateral engagements with France. One such project includes the declarations of intent signed by the two countries in October 2013, where the French South African Agricultural Institute (F’SAGRI), a collaborative project between the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Science and Technology, was initiated to strengthen capacity and support job creation in the sector. This project, which is a holistic model that seeks to introduce interventions that address the challenges of an increased number of people with high level skills in agriculture (Master’s and PhD levels), and the exploitation of knowledge into new agribusinesses for innovation outcomes, was developed through interactions between South African and French institutions.
The other project within the declaration included the identification of projects that will enable both parties to share and exchange knowledge and skills in order to strengthen trade relations. One such project is a sanitary and phytosanitary project on animal health, wherein French veterinary experts conducted an assessment on South Africa’s aquacultural sector. In compliance with the G20 activities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry of the French Republic and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of South Africa, through the signed declaration of intent that focused on the G20 Agriculture and Food Security Pillar contextual issues, agreed to further reinforce their exchanges and to cooperate in areas of common interest, including the implementation of the G20 Action Plan (AMIS, RRF) and dialogue on the G20 work on agriculture beyond the Action Plan, as well as professional agricultural education, academic exchanges, capacity building, sanitary and phytosanitary issues and climate change.
For media enquiries and further information please contact:
Ms Makenosi Maroo
Tel.: 012 319 6787
Cell: 072 475 2956
E-mail: MakenosiM@daff.gov.za
